Stunning Seven Falls in Colorado Springs, Colorado

On August 23, 2021August 23, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Colorado4 Comments

The are many wonderful waterfalls throughout Colorado, especially when you hike in the high country during early summer. Not everyone, however, has time to get into the high country, so if you are visiting Colorado Springs it is definitely worth while to go to Seven Falls. Although it is seven distinct falls, it is really one waterfall that cascades across seven distinct rock faces to create the seven unique falls. The entire area is beautiful and well worth walking through the canyon where the falls reside. If you are willing to climb the 224 steps to the top of the falls, you will be rewarded with wonderful views and also have the option to hike one of the trails that are at the top. Across from the falls, you will find an elevator that will take you to a viewing platform that provides wonderful views of Seven Falls. Even if you hike to the top of the falls, the views from the platform give you a different perspective of the falls.

View of Seven Falls from the Observation Deck

Going up the steep stairs that are adjacent to the falls, even if only part of the way, is certainly worth the effort as it gives you an opportunity to see the various waterfalls up close. There are a few rest areas on the staircase that allow you to not only take a break, but have the opportunity to step out of the way of others and enjoy the amazing views. At least for us, going down the stairs was a little more unnerving than heading up the stairs just because they are so steep and you spend the entire time looking down. Once you reach the bottom, however, there is a restaurant and an outdoor sitting area where you can enjoy something cool to drink.

Restaurant and River at the Base of Seven Falls

There is a fairly healthy price to visit the falls, $16.50 for adults thirteen and older and $10.50 for children two to twelve, which is certainly something to take into consideration. If you visit at dusk, the falls are lit up and during the holidays the lights are changed to multiple colors to make it even more festive. Just to visit the falls and climb the stairs, you should give yourself at least a couple of hours, but it is likely to take you closer to a half-day, especially if you stop in the restaurant for a meal.

Tunnel to the Elevator to Get to Observation Deck

Watching the Sunrises in Africa

On August 20, 2021August 20, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Africa, Kenya, Tanzania2 Comments

We have said many times that we are not really morning people and therefore don’t often see sunrises during our travels. Our time in Africa was quite different as we had to be up at sunrise in order to see the different wildlife while they were still active. As it turned out, the animals seemed to be active throughout the day, but some animals were not as easy to see during the heat of the day. We saw many gorgeous sunsets during our trip, but the sunrises were often just as spectacular. We especially enjoyed watching the sunrise during our balloon ride in Maasai Mara, which gave us a different perspective. Several of the sunrises that we saw were during our drive from one national park to another, so we did the best to take the photograph through the window of our vehicle. Here a few of the sunrises that we saw while we were in Tanzania and Kenya.

Brilliant Sunrise Leaving Amboseli National Park

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi

On August 19, 2021August 19, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Africa, Kenya1 Comment

One might have thought that we had seen enough elephants during our safari considering that we saw hundreds of them, but we were actually excited to visit the elephant orphanage in Nairobi. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is dedicated to rescuing orphaned elephants and rhinos, raising them and possibly rehabilitating them, and then returning them to the wild. The baby elephants come from all of the various national parks and animal reserves where, unfortunately, poaching still sometimes occur leaving the elephants orphaned or sometimes they become orphaned for other reasons. Pretty much every baby animal is cute and adorable, but baby elephants are especially cute and precocious.

Just Like a Kid Pushing a Friend into the Pool

During the time of our visit, it was very important to make your reservations in advance as the orphanage is only open for a single hour with a limited number of guests able to visit. Although the orphanage did have a single baby rhinoceros at the time, they did not bring him out as it would be too overwhelming for him and they were concerned of how he might react. The baby elephants on the other hand didn’t mind the people at all and some went over to get petted and a particularly curious elephant kept leaving the roped off area to mingle amongst the people.

Elephants at Play

The young elephants certainly seemed happy as they played and wrestled with each other. The handlers, who were all men, did a wonderful job of explaining their mission, the process for getting the elephants ready for release, and even took questions at the end. Once an elephant is ready to go back into the wild, they are taken to a camp at Tsavo National Park where they are slowly introduced to other wild elephants. They come back to the camp until one day the elephant simply stays with the wild animals and they are now fully reintroduced.

Allowing visitors to the orphanage is just one way that money is raised to support the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, but anyone can go to their site and adopt and elephant as a way for them to raise money. During our safari, we enjoyed seeing so many different animals, including the elephants, and preserving all of these species is important for everyone, not just those who visit Africa. Ever since the 1950’s, there has been a concerted effort to protect the abundance of wildlife that is unique to Africa, which we benefited from during our time traveling through Tanzania and Kenya. Regardless of whether you are visiting Nairobi to go on a safari or visiting for some other reason, we’d highly recommend taking time to visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Elephant Orphanage.